Ethereal

Selcouth

Selcouth
(adj.) unfamiliar, rare, strange and yet marvellous

Kaia stood in the grand kitchen of the Malhotra's whirlwind with stress.

"I don't know anything about their preferences" Kaia moved her fingers along her temples

"Madam kya banaogi aap? (Ma'am what will you be making ?)" one of the housekeepers asked cheerfully

"Pata nahi. Unlogo ko pasand kya hai?(I don't know. What do they like?)"

"Bade sahab ko biryani pasand hai, bade madam fruit salad khati hai, aur Nirvan baba ko pasta pasand hai aur uss ghar ke bade sahab aur madam ko toh sab chalta hai lekin Aditya baba ko kisi chis se allergy hai shayad (Mr.Malhotra likes biryani, Mrs.Malhotra eats fruit salad and Nirvan likes pasta while the other Mr and Mrs. Malhotra are not as picky but Aditya has some sort of allergy I think)"
Kaia stared at the housekeeper blankly

"Woh sab bhi arahe hai kya?(They are coming too?)" Kaia sighed

"Hai apko nahi pata? (Yes, you didn't know?)"
.
.
.

After much contemplation, Kaia had resolved to explore the rich tapestry of global cuisines as will be appreciated by everyone. As the hours passed, only the twirl of pasta remained to complete her feast. Just then, Nirvan sauntered into the kitchen, clad in loose-fitting attire, his curiosity piqued by the tantalizing scents wafting from the stove.

"What are you doing here?" Nirvan inquired looking at the array of dishes

'I should be asking that'

"I am cooking dinner today"

"Why?"
Kaia failed to ignore how expressive his voice was, one could easily know what he was thinking by his voice modulation

"Bade madam ne bolla(Because Mrs.Malhotra said so)" Bela, the housekeeper replied

"Aap jao hum karlenge (You leave, we will do it on our own)" Nirvan said taking a quick glance at Kaia

"Pasta?" Nirvan's hooded eyes grew wide

Kaia nodded lighly, her eyes meeting Nirvan's momentarily.

"For the last time let me help you" Nirvan repeated himself

"Fine get me the flour it's on the top right shelf"

Kaia observed Nirvan like a hawk as he tried reaching the highest shelf

"Why is it so high?" Kaia chuckled lightly

'His features fails to capture his innocence'

"Aap rehne dijiye koi aur kar dega(You let it be, someone else will do it)"

'I have to do it, it's about my ego now'

"Tum (Informal way of calling someone)"

"Kya?(What?)"

"It's Tum not aap and I got i-"

*Smash*

In a whirlwind of culinary chaos, the once serene kitchen transformed into a battleground of epic proportions. Instead of blood, a cascade of flour filled the air as a ball launched towards Nirvan, causing him to lose his grip on the container in a dramatic clash.

An innocent chuckle broke the couple's reverie as Kaia took notice of how her head was held tightly by Nirvan against his firm chest.

"Santa Claus" the youngest member of the family laughed loudly clutching his stomach

Kaia looked at Nirvan trying to suppress the redness of her cheeks. Nirvan's beard turned white making him look like a younger Santa Claus

"OMG! Is this biryani?" Little Ved ran towards the dining table

"Yes do you like it?" Kaia sat on her knees

"Yes I love it"

"Ved..how many times have I asked you to-  oh my goodness what happened to you people?" Risha came running through the main door

"What is happening here?" Nandini's dominating voice pierced through their attention

"Sorry dadi(grandma )" Ved lowered his head

"Your mother should be the one apologizing," she said sharply, causing Kaia to glance at them in surprise.

"Sorry, Mrs. Malhotra. Let's go, Ved," Risha said, heading towards the door.

"Wait, what about din—" Kaia started to say before Nandini cut her off.

"They're not coming, Kaia. And Nirvan, what are you doing here?"

"I was helping Kaia," Nirvan replied, his annoyance evident.

"There are countless people in this house who are here to help her."

"Still, I wanted to help her," Nirvan insisted
Kaia's heart raced as she heard Nirvan's response.

Nandini soon left to attend a call as the newly wed remained in the kitchen amidst the chaos

Nirvan hadn't anticipated making such a mess, especially in front of Kaia.

Kaia glanced away feeling equally shy with the situation "I will handle the cooking" she suggested awkwardly

Nirvan nodded "That's probably the best solution "

As they both retreated to their respective tasks an unspoken tension had mixed in the air not only of their new found relationship but also the family dynamics Kaia couldn't understand.

'If Aditya and his family are coming then why aren't Naman and Risha?'

Nirvan's footsteps echoed as he descended the stairs, catching the sound of Kaia's soft laughter.
'Who's she talking to?' he wondered, a hint of curiosity

"No really you should have been there Ki, it was freaking hilarious" Aditya sat on the kitchen island as Kaia continued cooking

'Who the fuck is Ki?' A pang of jealousy hit Nirvan as he saw Kaia laughing with Aditya

Aditya and Nirvan's relationship had always been marked by tension and underlying resentment. While Aditya looked up to Nirvan with admiration, feeling inspired by his talent and musical prowess, Nirvan couldn't shake off the jealousy that gnawed at him whenever he saw Aditya. Both harbored dreams of becoming musicians, but Nirvan's aspirations clashed with his parents' expectations for him to take over the family business, a pressure that only intensified after they severed ties with Naman following his marriage to Risha. Each time Nirvan crossed paths with Aditya, it served as a painful reminder of the choices he felt constrained from making, amplifying the sense of frustration and longing for a different path in life.

"Oh by the way I owe a treat" Aditya said with great enthusiasm

"You do?"

"Yeah, the tune you suggested for the project worked. Our production manager was damn surprised"

"Congratulations Adi"

"Where are your parents?" Nirvan interjected failing to keep aloof

"Upstairs. What are you doing here?"

"It's my house" Nirvan said venomously as he took the bowl of pasta from Kaia's hand

"Go freshen up" Nirvan instructed Kaia

"I need to organise the kitchen"

"I'll make sure it's done, you go"
Kaia gave a genuine smile before leaving the two brothers behind

'What is this strange persistent feeling I keep having whenever I am near her?'

~~~~~~~~~~